Connection (TV series)

Connection (Korean커넥션) is a 2024 South Korean television series written by Lee Hyun, co-directed by Kim Moon-gyo and Kwon Da-som, and starring Ji Sung, Jeon Mi-do, Kwon Yul, and Kim Kyung-nam. It aired on SBS TV from May 24, to July 6, 2024, every Friday and Saturday at 22:00 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Wavve and Coupang Play in South Korea, on Vidio in Indonesia, and on Kocowa and Viki in selected regions.

Connection
Promotional poster
Hangul
커넥션
Revised RomanizationKeoneksyeon
McCune–ReischauerK'ŏneksyŏn
Genre
Written byLee Hyun
Directed by
  • Kim Mun-kyo
  • Kwon Da-som[2]
Starring
Music by
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes14
Production
Executive producerLee Kwang-sun (CP)[4]
Producers
  • Han Jung-hwan[2]
  • Jo Jae-yeon[2]
  • Lee Soo-yeon[2]
  • Park Sang-jin[2]
  • Noh Jeon-gyu[2]
  • Lee Tae-gon[2]
  • Kim Si-hwan[2]
Cinematography
  • Kim Dong-young[2]
  • Kang Joo-sin[2]
  • Yeom Ho-wang[2]
  • Jung Seung-hwan[2]
EditorJo In-hyung[2]
Running time70 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkSBS TV
ReleaseMay 24 (2024-05-24) –
July 6, 2024 (2024-07-06)

Synopsis

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It is about the story of an ace detective from the narcotics team who, after being forcibly addicted to drugs by someone, uses the death of his friend as a clue to uncover the story of their 20-year-old altered friendship and the connection between them.

Cast and characters

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Main

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A detective of Narcotics Team at Anhyeon Police Station, who is respected by his juniors and trusted by his seniors within the police force.
A social affairs reporter of the Anhyeon Economic Daily, who is assertive and outspoken.
A prosecutor at Anhyeon District Office who was known as a child prodigy with a brilliant mind and gets entangled in a case involving his high school classmates Jae-gyeong and Yoon-jin.
A second generation chaebol who holds some sort of power through a friendship that has continued since his school days. He is Keumhyung Group's successor and has tense confrontation with high school classmate Jae-gyeong.

Supporting

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CEO of Two Star Holdings, an insurance company, who is talkative and weak-hearted and is in love to Yoon-jin.
A mysterious person who not only finds herself alone due to the sudden death of her husband Jun-seo, but also discovers that she is not the beneficiary of 5 billion won in insurance money.
President of Pil O Real Estate who was a close friend of Jae-gyeong when they were in high school.
Chairman of the Keumhyung Group and Jong-soo's father.
A fighter from Anhyeon City High School and values loyalty more than life. He is Jong-soo's chief secretary.
A taxi driver who is part of the 'Inner Circle' led by Jong-soo and Si-jung's husband.
A researcher at Keumhyung Pharmaceutical.
Captain of Narcotics Team at Anhyeon Police Station.
A detective of Narcotics Team at Anhyeon Police Station and Jae-gyeong trusted right-hand man.
  • Park Jung-pyo as Yoo Kyung-hwan[15]
A detective of Violent Crimes Team at Anhyeon Police Station and has an antagonistic relationship with Yeon-joo.
A mystery person who is related to Jae-gyeong's drug addiction.
A member of a drug gang who deals and distributes the Lemon Mulberry pills in Anhyeon City.

Others

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  • Seo Yi-ra as Oh Soo-hyun[22]
The youngest detective of Narcotics Team at Anhyeon Police Station under Jae-gyeong.
A junior reporter at Anhyeon Economic Daily who is Yoon-jin's junior.
Yoon-ho's wife and an Anhyeon City High School alumni.
  • Han Hyeon-jun as Min Hyun-woo[15]
A high school student who helps Jun-seo in delivering pharmaceutical drugs.
  • Kim Min-sik as Park In-soo[15]
A detective of Violent Crimes Team at Anhyeon Police Station.
  • Byun Hyo-joon as Min Jung-guk[15]
A detective of Violent Crimes Team at Anhyeon Police Station.
  • Oh Il-young as Lee Myung-guk[23]
A senior researcher at Keumhyung Pharmaceutical.
A taxi driver who is Chae Kyung-tae's friend in high school days.

Special appearances

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Production

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Development

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Director Kim Mun-kyo, who worked on Trolley (2023), and writer Lee Hyun, who worked on Diary of a Prosecutor (2019), are in charge of the directing and writing of the series.[26] Studio S, Soul Pictures, and Good Harvest managed the production.[27]

Casting

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Ji Sung and Jeon Mi-do were confirmed to star for the series. This is their first time working together on a project.[28] It is also Ji's comeback on SBS since Doctor John in 2019 and it was Jeon's first lead drama in a terrestrial channel since debuting as an actor in 2006.[26]

Release

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Connection was announced to air on SBS TV in the first half of 2024.[26] A special teaser of the series was released on December 29, 2023.[29] SBS' production team confirmed that the series would air on May 24, 2024, every Friday and Saturday at 22:00 (KST).[30] It is also available to stream on Wavve, Coupang Play, Kocowa and Vidio.[31][32]

Viewership

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Connection : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
1234567891011121314
11.0381.0901.2881.4321.5071.6651.6191.6491.6502.0391.7351.9521.8592.5601.649
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[33]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[33]
Nationwide Seoul
1 May 24, 2024 5.7% (7th) 6.1% (3rd)
2 May 25, 2024 6.1% (2nd) 7.0% (2nd)
3 May 31, 2024 7.0% (4th) 6.7% (3rd)
4 June 1, 2024 7.9% (2nd) 8.2% (2nd)
5 June 7, 2024 8.5% (2nd) 8.5% (1st)
6 June 8, 2024 9.4% (2nd) 10.0% (2nd)
7 June 14, 2024 9.4% (2nd) 9.8% (1st)
8 June 15, 2024 9.1% (2nd) 9.5% (2nd)
9 June 21, 2024 9.1% (2nd) 8.9% (2nd)
10 June 22, 2024 11.1% (2nd) 11.4% (2nd)
11 June 28, 2024 9.7% (2nd) 10.4% (1st)
12 June 29, 2024 10.6% (2nd) 11.2% (2nd)
13 July 5, 2024 11.0% (2nd) 11.7% (1st)
14 July 6, 2024 14.2% (2nd) 14.8% (2nd)
Average 9.2% 9.6%
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Lee, Min-ji (December 11, 2023). 범죄수사 스릴러 '커넥션' 형사 지성-기자 전미도 출연 확정 [공식] [Crime investigation thriller 'Connection' Detective Ji-sung and reporter Jeon Mi-do confirmed to appear [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Naver.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p 1회 우리 마약팀 안현경찰서의 자랑이다 [1. Our Drug Team Is the Pride of Anhyeon Police Station]. Connection. Episode 1 (in Korean). May 24, 2024. SBS TV. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  3. ^ a b 오는 5월 24일(금) 첫 방송 예정인 SBS 새 금토드라마 <커넥션>의 메인포스터 2종이 공개되었습니다. [Two main posters for SBS' new Friday-Saturday drama <Connection>, which is scheduled to air for the first time on Friday, May 24, have been released.]. Facebook (in Korean). April 30, 2024. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  4. ^ 커넥션 [Connection]. SBS. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Kang, Seon-ae (December 11, 2023). "이름만 들어도 신뢰감 돋는 조합"...지성-전미도, '커넥션' 출연 확정 ["Combination that gives credibility just by hearing the name"...Ji Sung and Jeon Mi-do confirmed to appear on 'Connection'] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Ahn, Byun-gil (May 7, 2024). 조한결 '커넥션' 출연...지성 아역으로 [Cho Han-gyeol appears in 'Connection'...as young role of Ji Sung] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Naver.
  7. ^ Kim, Myung-mi (May 17, 2024). 김민주, 전미도 고등학교 아역 변신 "이제껏 볼 수 없던 얼굴"(커넥션) [Kim Min-ju, transform as Jeon Mi-do in high school days "A face you've never seen before" (Connection)] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024 – via Naver.
  8. ^ Lee, Chang-gyu (April 5, 2024). 권율, SBS '커넥션' 출연 확정...지성·권미도와 호흡 [공식입장] [Kwon Yul confirmed to appear on SBS 'Connection'...Working with Ji Sung and Jeon Mi-do [Official Statement]] (in Korean). Sports News. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024 – via Naver.
  9. ^ a b c [대중문화칼럼] 아역 배우의 미래와 인공지능의 향배는 [[Popular Culture Column] The future of young actors and the future of artificial intelligence]. Cheonji Ilbo (in Korean). July 2, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Choi, Lee-jung (April 16, 2024). 김경남, SBS '커넥션' 재벌 2세 변신...지성∙전미도와 호흡 [Kim Kyung-nam, transformed into a second generation chaebol in SBS' 'Connection'...Working with Ji Sung and Jeon Mi-do] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Naver.
  11. ^ Jung, In-seon (July 2, 2024). '커넥션' 박시윤, 대전서 자랐다... 부친은 대덕특구서 근무 중 ['Connection' Park Si-yun, grew up in Daejeon... Father works in Daedeok Special Zone] (in Korean). Daejeon Ilbo. Retrieved October 22, 2024 – via Naver.
  12. ^ Lee, Kyung-ho (April 29, 2024). 정순원, SBS 새 금토극 '커넥션' 합류..전미도와 호흡 [공식] [Jeong Soon-won joins SBS' new Friday-Saturday drama 'Connection'...Working with Jeon Mi-do [Official]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Jo, Sung-woon (July 3, 2024). 김민주X조한결X조민구, '20년 전, 숨은 이야기 또 있다' (커넥션) [Kim Min-ju X Cho Han-gyeol X Jo Min-gu, '20 years ago, there is another hidden story' (Connection)] (in Korean). Sports Dong-a. Retrieved October 22, 2024 – via Naver.
  14. ^ a b Kim, Yoo-jin (May 10, 2024). 문성근·정유민·차엽·이강욱·김민주, '커넥션' 출연 [Moon Seong-geun, Jeong Yu-min, Cha Yeop, Lee Kang-wook, and Kim Min-ju appear in 'Connection'] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Naver.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i Kang, Sun-ae (May 16, 2024). "지성-전미도와 어떤 관계?"...'커넥션', 필독해야 할 '인물 관계도' ["What is Ji-seong's relationship with Jeon Mi-do?"...'Connection', a must-read 'Character Relationship Chart'] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024 – via Naver.
  16. ^ Son, Bong-suk (May 18, 2024). 신예 이현소, '커넥션' 윤나무 아역 활약 예고 [Rookie Lee Hyun-so, preview of his performance as the young role of Yoon Na-moo in 'Connection'] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved October 22, 2024 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Yoo, Ji-hye (April 28, 2024). '명품 조연' 차엽, SBS '커넥션' 출연 확정...'의리남' 변신 [Cha Yup, a 'luxury supporting actor', confirmed to appear in SBS' 'Connection'...Transformation into a 'loyal man'] (in Korean). Sports Dong-a. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Ryu, Ye-ji (May 14, 2024). 이강욱, 결혼 후 택시기사로 열일...열등감·욕심 MAX('커넥션') [Lee Gang-wook works hard as a taxi driver after marriage...Inferiority and greed MAX ('Connection')] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024 – via Naver.
  19. ^ Son, Bong-suk (April 19, 2024). 정재광, '커넥션' 형사 창수 역 출연 [Jung Jae-kwang appears as detective Chang-soo in 'Connection'] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  20. ^ Kim, Chae-yeon (May 9, 2024). 유희제, 지성x전미도 '커넥션' 출연..베일에 감춰진 인물 [공식] [Yoo Hee-je, to appear in Ji Sung x Jeon Mi-do's 'Connection'...A person hidden in the veil [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Naver.
  21. ^ 윤사장 [President Yoon]. SBS. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  22. ^ Ahn, Byung-gil (May 2, 2024). 서이라, 첫 지상파 뜬다...'커넥션' 출연 [Seo Yi-ra, coming for her first terrestrial TV series...To appear on 'Connection'] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024 – via Naver.
  23. ^ Lee, Da-gyeon (June 1, 2024). '커넥션' 지성X전미도, 마약 중독 비밀 공유...공조 스타트 ['Connection' Ji Sung X Jeon Mi Do, sharing drug addiction secrets...Cooperation begins] (in Korean). Maeil Gyeongje. Retrieved October 22, 2024 – via Naver.
  24. ^ Hwang, Gyu-joon (July 7, 2024). '커넥션' 지성-전미도, 박찬우(노규민)와의 만남으로 윤나무(박준서)의 진심 알았다 ['Connection' Ji Sung and Jeon Mi-do, through meeting Park Chan-woo (No Gyu-min), learn about Yoon Na-moo's (Park Jun-seo) true feelings]. Star Daily News. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  25. ^ Kang, Sun-ae (June 14, 2024). "모두가 의심스럽다"...'커넥션', 미스터리 6人에 추리력 폭발 ["Everyone is suspicious"...'Connection', 6 mystery people explode with reasoning power] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Retrieved October 22, 2024 – via Naver.
  26. ^ a b c Lee, Seung-hun (September 12, 2023). [단독]'대상' 지성·'지상파 첫' 전미도, '커넥션' 주인공 [종합] [[Exclusive] 'Grand Prize' Ji Sung, 'First Terrestrial' Jeon Mi-do, are 'Connection' protagonist [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Naver.
  27. ^ Choi, Yoon-na (December 11, 2023). '에이스 형사' 지성X'사회부 기자' 전미도, '커넥션' 출연 [공식] ['Ace Detective' Ji Sung X 'Social Affairs Reporter' Jeon Mi-do appears on 'Connection' [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Dong-a. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024 – via Naver.
  28. ^ Kang, Seog-jung (December 11, 2023). 지성・전미도, 믿고 보는 조합..SBS '커넥션' 출연 확정[공식] [Ji Sung and Jeon Mi-do, a trusted combination...SBS 'Connection' casting confirmed [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Naver.
  29. ^ Lee, Ha-neul (December 30, 2023). "마약반 형사가 마약을 해?" 지성·전미도 SBS 드라마 '커넥션' 스페셜 티저 공개 ["Does a Narcotics Detective Do Drugs?" Ji Sung and Jeon Mi-do SBS drama 'Connection' Special Teaser Released] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via Naver.
  30. ^ Moon, Hwa-young (April 19, 2024). '커넥션' 지성·전미도, 마약 중독 추적한다...5월 24일 첫방 ['Connection' Ji Sung and Jeon Mi-do track down drug addiction...First broadcast on May 24th] (in Korean). The Fact. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  31. ^ Hong, Ji-hoon (May 24, 2024). 드라마 '커넥션', 원작 웹툰 없는 등장 인물 관계도 본격 전개...OTT 재방송 다시보기 웨이브·쿠팡플레이 [Drama 'Connection', character relationships without the original webtoon are in full swing...Watch OTT reruns again Wavve·Coupang Play] (in Korean). Biz Enter. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024 – via Nate.
  32. ^ Grover, Ashima (June 21, 2024). "Ji Sung's Connection climbs high on buzzworthy K-drama chart; Hierarchy wins Netflix audiences on Global Top 10". Hindustan Times. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Nielsen Korea ratings:
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